The Highland Scotties' softball season came to an end after dropping the opening two games of the Region VI Plains District A tournament at Majestic Park in Hot Springs, Arkansas earlier this month. Highland finishes the 2023 season with a record of 26-21.
 
The Scotties, seeded 7^th in the district tournament, opened against the number one team in the nation, Murray State College (53-0). Highland jumped out to an early 2-0 lead against Murray State, but ultimately could not hang on to grab the upset, losing 7-4 to the eventual district champions.
 
After the loss to Murray State, Highland moved into the consolation bracket to face Labette Community College in the late game of the day. Labette got out to an early lead over the Scotties and never let up, winning 10-1 in a run-rule shortened game.
 
Highland finished the season with two KJCCC 2^nd Team All-Conference selections: Emma Kreisel (RHP) and Jaslyne Williams (OF). Kreisel led most of the pitching statistics for the Scotties, including games started (20), wins (13), saves (2), innings pitched (116), and strikeouts (145). Williams dominated the hitting stats for the Scotties this spring, leading in runs (49), hits (51), stolen bases (33), batting average (.392), and slugging percentage (.708).
 
At the end of the season head coach Greg Cary announced he would be leaving Highland Community College to accept a similar position at Lamar Community College in Lamar, Colorado. President Deborah Fox immediately announced that Cary would be replaced by longtime assistant Jean Melo Fernandez.
 
Before Greg Cary left for Colorado, both Cary and Fernandez stopped by the Scottie Sports Network headquarters to chat about Greg's time at Highland and the future of the program. "I want to thank Highland Community College and the players that have been a part of the last two seasons. I think we came into a tough situation two years ago and we handled it better than most thought possible. We had 66 wins in 2 years, a conference championship and 8 student-athletes moving on to play at the 4-year level in 2 years. I think with Coach Fernandez at the helm, Highland softball won't skip a beat. I'm proud of where this program is and where it's going next", said Cary.
 
New head coach Jean Melo Fernandez added, "I am really appreciative that Highland Community College has selected me to take over as their upcoming head basketball coach. I want to thank President Fox, the hiring committee, and everyone else for this incredibly humble opportunity. This upcoming season is something that I have been looking forward to my entire coaching career.